The PIT tag Separation by Code (SbyC) process allows tagged fish to be separated from the untagged population as they move through juvenile and adult fish passage facilities that are equipped with PIT tag actuated gates. The targeted fish can be instantly diverted to sample tanks, relocation vehicles or directly back to the river. The SbyC system helps agencies divert and transport hundreds of thousands of fish per migration cycle and gives researchers a powerful tool to recapture specific individuals of a target group for additional sampling.

While SbyC systems are integrated into many juvenile bypass systems and some adult ladders, the primary focus occurs at the mainstem dams on the Snake River from which juvenile fish are transported downstream via barge or truck. At these locations (Lower Granite Dam, Little Goose Dam, and Lower Monumental Dam), PIT tagged fish are returned to the river by default while the untagged population is routed for transportation. Researchers studying transportation can override this default action so that a proportion of populations of interest are routed with the untagged population to be transported.

SbyC actions can be applied to an entire population of tagged fish, a proportion of that population, or a predefined number of individuals. Both daily and seasonal collection quotas can be set to limit the number of fish sampled. Each SbyC action can be scheduled for a specified number of hours or days, or a specified pattern of days. Multiple populations can be identified and segregated at a given site, with unique SbyC actions assigned to each group at that site.

 

Version: 1.07

Published: 9/6/2023